Clean

The New Science of Skin

By: James Hamblin

Narrated by: Barrett Leddy

Named a Best Book of 2020 by NPR and Vanity Fair

One of Smithsonian's Ten Best Science Books of 2020

“A searching and vital explication of germ theory, social norms, and what the modern era is really doing to our bodies and our psyches.” (Vanity Fair)

A preventative medicine physician and staff writer for The Atlantic explains the surprising and unintended effects of our hygiene practices in this informative and entertaining introduction to the new science of skin microbes and probiotics.

Keeping skin healthy is a booming industry, and yet it seems like almost no one agrees on what actually works. Confusing messages from health authorities and ineffective treatments have left many people desperate for reliable solutions. An enormous alternative industry is filling the void, selling products that are often of questionable safety and totally unknown effectiveness.

In Clean, doctor and journalist James Hamblin explores how we got here, examining the science and culture of how we care for our skin today. He talks to dermatologists, microbiologists, allergists, immunologists, aestheticians, bar-soap enthusiasts, venture capitalists, Amish people, theologians, and straight-up scam artists, trying to figure out what it really means to be clean. He even experiments with giving up showers entirely, and discovers that he is not alone.

Along the way, he realizes that most of our standards of cleanliness are less related to health than most people think. A major part of the picture has been missing: a little-known ecosystem known as the skin microbiome - the trillions of microbes that live on our skin and in our pores.

These microbes are not dangerous; they’re more like an outer layer of skin that no one knew we had, and they influence everything from acne, eczema, and dry skin to how we smell. The new goal of skin care will be to cultivate a healthy biome - and to embrace the meaning of “clean” in the natural sense. This can mean doing much less, saving time, money, energy, water, and plastic bottles in the process.

Lucid, accessible, and deeply researched, Clean explores the ongoing, radical change in the way we think about our skin, introducing listeners to the emerging science that will be at the forefront of health and wellness conversations in coming years.

©2020 James Hamblin (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Fascinating

There is a lot behind every product and trend, and the “clean” industry is no exception. I’ll never shower or buy beauty products without thinking of the messages in this book.

Worth your time

So much good information in this book. I have cut down and eliminated soaps for the most part

Getting acquainted with my old friends

I loved learning about the biome of our skin through this book! Really interesting information to consider, and it’s exciting to learn about a science that’s so new (although I wish more doctors knew it). It’s already changed my cleanliness habits at home, and the way I look at soap & the skincare industry. I’m now more attentive to my old friends, inside & out and I’ll be watching intently to see where science, skincare marketing, and pharma take these concepts next.

I found the performance totally sub par. I didn’t like how the reader used a higher pitch voice when quoting women throughout - it was a weird decision and totally unnecessary. In the future, don’t do this.

Eye opening

This has helped change my thinking toward my daily route. As a pregnant women, I am thankful for the though track this book started for me regarding my future baby’s mico biome.

Important, interesting, and very useful info!

I love books like this that help us be healthier while also saving money and time every day. Thank you Dr. Hamblin!

An excellent overview of all types of clean

I learned a lot. Each area of clean could be a whole book by going into greater detail.

Delightfully informative

I enjoyed the literary voice of the author, and Mr. Leddy's voice-- although a few of his pronunciations seemed off: 'aforementioned' and 'menstruation', among others; but overall, excellent.

Good “read”

Smart insights in an accessible, palatable approach. Easy and fun to listen to. Enjoyed it.

Not to clean 😀

I stopped wearing deodorant almost 3 months ago and my friends thought I was crazy. The first couple weeks were very interesting and a little smelly but only to me. NOW, I'm odorless but I didn't know why. This book contains all the information that I needed to understand what was happening to my body and showed me that I don't have to return to the past rituals.

Unfortunately, I had to have 2 Spinal surgeries that left me unable to shower for what has been 4 weeks now. I do however wash the hotspots, as my mom calls them.

But, I read this book while recovering and it has really given me a different perspective on my situation. Lol, I don't feel disgusting, EVENTHOUGH I don't smell.

I truly enjoyed the history on soap.

Very good read

Needs more of a conclusion

Excellent book that I would recommend

I do wish he would have given a clear definition and cleanliness for a healthy life of most people